'The Way, Way Back' and five other films set at amusement parks

‘The Way, Way Back’ and five other films set at amusement parks

By Dana Ferguson

July 5, 2013 12 AM PT

In “The Way, Way Back,” which arrives in theaters Friday, much of the action unfolds at the Water Wizz Water Park, where 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) finds escape from the pains of seeing his mom (Toni Collette) being wooed by a car salesman (Steve Carell). It reminded us of some other films that feature thrills at amusement parks and carnivals.

“Adventureland” (2009): College grad James Brennan (Jessie Eisenberg) takes a job working at Adventureland, an amusement park in his home town, to raise money for graduate school. Not only does James almost get stabbed by a disgruntled customer thanks to the help of co-worker Emily “Em” Lewin (Kristen Stewart), but he also learns about the real world and real relationships.

“Flamingo Kid” (1984): In another coming-of-age story, Jeffrey Willis (Matt Dillon) takes a job the summer after high school working at The Flamingo, a beach resort in Long Island, against his middle-class family’s wishes. Willis aspires to be like the beautiful, affluent people who frequent the club, but he soon realizes they lack the depth and integrity of his own clan.

PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments

“National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983): On a road trip gone awry, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and their children Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and Audrey (Dana Barron) endure a series of unlikely struggles on their way from Chicago to Los Angeles to visit the theme park Walley World (in reality Valencia’s Six Flags Magic Mountain). There they have a memorable encounter with an attendant played winningly by the late John Candy.

“Grease” (1978): The musical classic sets up bad boy Danny (John Travolta) and good girl Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) in an unlikely high school fling. The climax of the film has Danny and Sandy, along with the Pink Ladies and T-Birds, singing and dancing at the school’s spring carnival as they prepare to part ways post-graduation.

“Big” (1988): When 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) wishes to be turned “big” at a carnival fortune teller machine, he becomes an adult (Tom Hanks) overnight. Even in his adult body, though, he enjoys childish pleasures like bunk beds and giant pianos until he finds a way back to his adolescent self.

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dana.ferguson@latimes.com